Perforating machine



y 1957 F. E. HAMILTON ETAL 2,800,182

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet i INVENTORS'FRANCIS E. HAMILTON EDG AR ALAN BROWN CHARLES C ZULEEG ATTORNEY NAU m:mm 3: m:

July 23, .1957 F. E. HAMILTON ETAL 2,800,182

' PERFORMING MACHINE A Filed Nov. 18,- 1954 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSFRANCIS E. HAMILTON BY EDGAR ALAN BROWN CHARLES c. zu

ATTORNEY y 23,1957 v F. E. HAMILTON ETAL 2,800,182

7 I PERFORMING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18, 1954' 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

INVENTORS FRANCIS E. HAMILTON By EDGAR ALAN BROWN CHARLES c.2u E5ATTORN'EY g July 23, 1 57 F. E. HAMILTON EI'AL 2, 0 ,182

PERFORATING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 18, 1954 INVENTORSFRANCIS E. HAMILTON EDGAR ALAN BROWN Y m E N R C O s w & A R. A H c July23, 1957 F. E. HAMILTON ETAL 2,300,182

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 18. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 LTON WNATTORNEY INVENTOR$ IS E. HAM! ALAN BRO E $9 6 2230 0 So I llllllll mwmmo 4 -1 Y. $22.28 w

v mw mmzmnmm 0252mm om 0 3 89 6 2238 zw w 5mm 0mm 000m oOhN oovm 05 com002 008 00m om con 00 United States Patent 2,80%,182 Patented July 23,1957 fire PERFORATIN G MACHINE Francis E. Hamilton, Bingharnton, CharlesC. Znleeg, Vestal, and Edgar A. Brown, Owego, N. Y., assignors toInternational Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application November 18, 1%4, Serial No. 469,806

12 Claims. (Cl. 164--115) This invention relates to an improvement inmachines for perforating record cards and more particularly to a novelmechanism for setting up the punches for the perforating operation.

The punching operation is accomplished by first punching a single recordcard by the usual key operated hand punch, and then placing the card ina machine of the type disclosed herein which will duplicate the patternor master card in any desired quantity, punching the cards one at a timeuntil the predetermined number has been punched. All holes are punchedin each card at a single operation by a selected plurality of punches.This is known as a gang punching operation. M

The principal object of the present inventionis to provide a novelmechanism for setting up the complete data to be punched on a recordcard for subsequently punching all selected perforations at one time inthe record.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved machine forperforming punching operations in which the punching is performed at ahigh rate of speed.

Another object is to provide a mechanism whereby a single control meanssets up the punches sequentially in any one or more of the index pointpositions in a column of a record.

A further object of the invention is to provide apunching mechanismwhereby the setting up of the punches by a single control means isaccomplished at a high rate of speed, though the setting up devicesactually operate at only one-half this speed.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out 'in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by way of examples, the principle of the invention andthe .best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side sectional elevation view of the machine showing thecard feeding, sensing and punching devices.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the punch set-up mechanism showingone of the slides in an actuated posinon.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along lines 3-.3 of Fig. l with partsbroken away to show the forward supports for the punching devices.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the details of the punch set-upmechanism.

Fig. 5 is a timing diagram which can be followed-to understand theoperations of various mechanical and electrical devices shown herein.

Fig. 6 is an electrical wiring diagram of the preferred form of theinvention.

Referring to Fig. 1, it is seen that a stack of blank record cardsdesignated 10 are contained in a hopper R. These cards are the wellknown IBM cards having eighty columns of twelve punching positions andarefed from the hopper by means of an oscillating arm 12 and areciprocating slide 13 carrying a picker 14, to a pair of feed rollers15, 16. From rollers 15, 16 the cards are fed by two sets of rollers 19,20 and 21, 22 to the punching station comprising twelve rows of punches51 and a die plate 52.

The perforated cards are carried from the punching station by a pair offeed rollers 23, 24 which convey the punched card past a sensing stationcomprising brushes 25 and a contact roll 26. These brushes are known asthe punch set-up brushes whose purpose will be later described. Afterleaving the sensing station, the card is carried by three setsof feedrollers designated 27, 28, and 29, 30, and 31, 32 and a guide roller 35to a discharge hopper 36. The spacing between the sets of feed rollersis such that a card is positioned beneath the punches :and punchedbefore the following card enters the punching station. This is inaccordance with standard practice to eliminate any possibility of a cardjam. In order for each record card to be punched with the sameinformation, a pattern card must lead the blank cards through themachine. When the first pattern card has reached the punch brushes 25,the blank card following it is entering the punching station.Perforations in the pattern card are read at the sensing station bybrushes 25 and the impulses are transmitted to the punch magnetsdesignated PM. This results in the setting up of the punches for thepunching of the first blank card.

On the next cycle, the punched card is advanced from the punchingstation to the punch set-up brushes 25 where it, in turn, is read andserves as the pattern .card for the following blank card. Thus, everycard passing through the machine serves in its turn as the pattern cardfor the card directly behind it.

A punch magnet PM is provided for each card column and as the patterncard passes brushes 25, circuits are completed through the perforationsto energize themagnets PM. The magnets control the setting up of thepunches in the corresponding index point positions of the blank card atthe punching station.

The driving connections for the card feeding mechanism, feed rollershafts and various cam shafts are not shown herein, but it is understoodthat these shafts are suitably connected to be constantly driven fromamotor M shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6 to perform the machinefunctions in accordance with the machine timing shown in the timingdiagram of Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, a shaft 37 is mounted for rotation inmachine side frames 38 and 39' and driven through a pulley 49 bysuitable belt connections with the motor M. Shaft 37 has a pair of rightangle worm gears 41 and 42 which are in mesh with worm wheels 43 and 44,fastened to shafts 45 and 46 respectively. These shafts are rotatablymounted in plates 47 and 48 (Fig. 1) which extend between the sideframes 38 and 39. Each shaft 45 and 46 is provided with a series of 12punch operating cams designated 50 generally, which correspond to the 12index point positions on the record cards. The manner in which thesecams cause a punch 51 to be actuated in the punching operation will beexplained later.

In the following description of the punch set up mechanism, only onecard column will be considered, it being understood that the machine isequipped with identical parts for each of the eighty columns.

A bail 53 (Figs. 3, 4) is provided for each index position and isyieldably mounted on the side frames 38 and 39 by means of a pair ofcoil springs 54. Each bail has a set of rollers 55 which are heldagainst the surface of cooperating cams 5i) carried by shafts 45 and 46under pressure of the springs 54. A finger 56 is carried by each bailfor each column position and is pivotally mounted on a rod 57, thefinger being adapted to set up an interposer 53 for the ensuing punchingoperation.

Referring again to Figs. 2 and 3, a support frame is providedto carrythepunch interposers-58 which are moved into alignment with a relatedpunch 51 for setting up the punch to efiect punching during the punchingoperation. Cross bars 59 and 60 are firmly secured between the machineside frames and a pair of side plates 70 is fastened between the crossbars, one near each side frame. Each side plate 76 is slotted atintervals to provide grooves for receiving a plurality of plates 61which forms channels for guiding the interposers 58. Each channel isprovided with a series of interposers, one for each card column. A rowof punch interposers 58 is thus formed for each card column, there beingan interposer for each index point position on the card. A series ofvertical inserts 49 is provided in each channel, one insert beingpositioned between each interposer 58. Each interposer is bowed (Fig. 3)and frictionally engages the sides of its adjacent inserts. In order tomove an interposer vertically in the channel, a force must be exertedupon itt-o overcome the force of friction between it and the cooperatinginserts. In addition each interposer has an enlarged portion 58a whichacts as a fulcrum about which the interposer can be turned and a flange58b at its lower end which rests on the top of a related punch 51.

The punches 51 (Fig. 2) are each associated with-an interposer 58 andare slidably arranged in the guide channels beneath their relatedinterposer-s. A punch actuating bail 62 extends through each channelabove the punches. This bail moves the selected punches downwardly on apunching operation, when the lower end flange 58b of the relatedinterposers have been moved under the bail in a manner explainedhereinafter. Each punch is provided with a notch 51a which'receives abail 63. This bail serves as a positive restoring means for the punches.A stop bar 64 also extends through each channel and is secured to thechannel plate 61 to cooperate with a projection 580 on each interposer58 for limiting its upward vertical movement on the restoring operationof the cycle.

Bails 62 and 63 are connected to a pair of supporting plates 65 whichare mounted for vertical movement in a pair of channel members 73secured to the machine side frames 38 and 39. These interconnected bailsform in effect, one integral structure which eliminates the possibilityof a jam between them when the machine is in operation.

Each plate 65 is provided with a clearance slot 65a through which arotatably mounted shaft 66 extends. Secured on shaft 66 is a pair ofcams 67 which are engaged by rollers 68 carried by the plates 65. Therollers 68 are also engaged by a pair of complementary cams 71 which arefastened on a shaft 72 extending between the machine side frames. Shafts66 and 72 are constantly driven through a suitable connection from themotor M. These cams positively reciprocate the plates 65 vertically tocause actuation and restoration of the selected punches 51 through bails63 and 62 respectively. In Fig. it is seen that the bail 62 causespunching to occur at approximately 75 of the cycle from the setting ofthe punches which was made during the last half of the preceding cycle.

The magnet PM for each column (Fig. 1) controls the setting up of aninterposer 58 in a selected index position through a duo of slidesdesignated 75 and 76. The fingers 56 in the even numbered index pointpositions 12, O, 2, 4, 6 and 8 of a column extend downwardly into aspace between related lugs 77 (Fig. 4) which project outwardly from theside of slide 76. The odd numbered fingers 11, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 extenddownwardly between similar lugs on slide 75. These slides are supportedfor reciprocation in bearing blocks 79 and 86 and are provided withkeeper members 81 and 82 (Fig. 2) pivotally' mounted thereto at 83 and84 respectively. These keepers are adapted to engage a pair of lugs 75aand 76a extending from the underside of slides 75 and 76 respectively.These lugs limit the counterclockwise movement of the keepers and enablethe keepers to push the related slide to the right when they are urgedcounterclockwise. A notch in the under surface of each keeper member, 81

and 82 receives a bail 85 and 86 respectively. These bails are keyedinto shafts 87 and 88 respectively which are mounted for rotation in themachine side frames. A cam follower 89 having a roller 90 is secured toeach shaft and a spring 91 extends between bails 85 and 86 to press therollers 90 against the surface of an eccentric 92 on a constantlyrotating shaft 93 which is mounted in the machine side frames. Theslides 75 and 76 are maintained under tension by pressure of springs 94.The eccentric 93 is so formed as to cause the bails 85 and 86 to operate180 out of phase. The slides are in turn moved by their respective bailsto oscillate at 180 out of phase as shown in the chart of Fig. 5.

As the eccentric 93 rotates, the odd and even slides are movedalternately against the pole face of the related magnet PM, and if themagnet is not energized, the slides will be moved away from the magnetby the oscillating bails. In the instance where the magnet PM isenergized during the time that one end of a slide is moved up to itspole face, the slide is heldagainst movement by the keeper action asexplained hereinafter. The fingers 56 (Fig. 2) are moved downwardly bythe cams 50, as previously explained, which are timed to mo e the fingerin each index position downwardly toward the related interposer 58during the reading of the corresponding index position by the sensingbrushes 25, as shown in Fig. 5. The finger travels downwardly within therestriction of the lugs 77 for engagement with the interposer. When aperforation is not sensed by the brushes 25 in an index position, thefinger is deflected by its oscillating slide to push the finger 56 outof line with the interposer 58. As the finger is restored under pressureof springs 54 (Fig. 3), the slide returns it to a position in line withthe interposer.

When a perforation is sensed by the brushes 25, the magnet PM ismomentarily energized and holds the slide which approaches its pole facefrom following the related oscillating bail until the related keeper ismoved to latching position as explained hereinafter. The finger which ismoved downwardly is not deflected by the slide and engages a cammingsurface 58d on the upper portion of theinterposer 58 to actuate theinterposer. The interposer is pivoted about its enlarged portion 58a tobring the flange 58b at its lower end under the punch bail 62. With theinterposer in this position, the related punch 51 is actuated when thebail 62 moves downwardly.

The keepers 81 and 82 are pivotally mounted on the slides 75 and 76, aspreviously explained, and if a slide does not follow its oscillatingbail because of the attraction of energized magnet PM, then the keeperis rocked clockwise about its pivot point (Fig. 2) by the bail intolatching engagement with a cooperating block. These blocks aredesignated 95 and 96 and extend between the machine side frames 38 and39. It should be noted that if the magnet is not energized, the keeperremains in its counterclockwise position and passes under the block.

This is accomplished by providing the springs 94 with sufiicient tensionso that the slides 75 and 76 are pulled to the left faster than thebails 85 and 86 can rock the keepers 81 and 82 counterclockwise. Theslides can therefore be said to lead the bails. The magnet PM, however,is of suflicient strength to hold a slide against the pressure of itsspring 94. This insures that the slide will make its full oscillatingcycle. As soon as the keeper is partially latched, the magnet PM can bedeenergized and the slide will move only sufficiently to take up therequired latching lead. The slide is thus retained in its position nearthe magnet PM until the bail has almost completed its return stroke. Thekeeper is then moved counterclockwise until it is free of the latchblock. a

The upper end of each interposer 58 extends through a slot in a slidablerestoring plate 97 (Fig. 1). This plate is pivotally supported at oneend by a cam follower 98 andat the other end bya spring 99 whichconstantly urges the plate to the right. The cam follower 98 carries aroller 100 which engages a cam 101 secured on'a constantly rotatingshaft 102. A spring 103 extends between the follower 98 and side frame38 to maintain roller 100 against the cam 101. It is understood thatsimilar operating mechanism is provided for the slide near frame plate39 to produce a balanced structure. From Fig. 5 it is seen that therestoring cam 101 causes the plate 97 to move to the left at 120 whichin turn engages any interposers which have been set up to move theirflange 58b out from under the punch bail 62. The interposers arecompletely restored by 157 to prepare the machine for the followingpunch setting-up operation.

The cards are carried to the punching station by the series of feedrollers previously described and are guided in proper punching positionendwise by plates 105 (Fig. 3), but owing to various conditions, it isnecessary to provide additional devices to exactly align the cardsidewise under the punches. Referring to Fig. 2, the constantly rotatingshaft 106 has a cam 107 fastened thereto which is engaged by a roller108 carried by a cam follower 109. Extending upwardly from a pivotalconnection on follower 109 is a pair of links 110, each connectedpivotally at its upper end to the free end of a horizontal lever 111pivotally mounted on a rod 112. A

spring 113 extends between each lever and a support plate 114 tomaintain the roller 108 in engagement with the cam 107. On their outerends these levers carry bars 115 extending the greater part of thelength of die plate 52. Bars 115 are each provided with two upwardlyprojecting fingers 116.

While a card is being pushed into place on the die plate 52 by feedrollers 21, 22 the roller 108 is on the high portion of cam 107, andfingers 116 are in the position shown in Fig. 2. From Fig. 5 it is seenthat the roller 103 leaves the high portion of the cam at 15 aided bythe springs 113 whereupon the fingers 116 snap into position forcing thecard at the punching station to register exactly with die plate 52.

At 113 the roller 108 again moves onto the high portion of cam 107 towithdraw the fingers 116 from the path of the punched card resting onthe die plate. The card is then engaged by the stop 119a on a cam 119which is constantly rotated on shaft 118. This cam frictionally movesthe card between feed rollers 23, 24 from whence it is carried to thesensing station for reading by the brushes 25.

To summarize briefly the operation of the machine the punches 51 are setup under control of the card passing under the sensing brushes 25 duringthe last half of a machine cycle. During this time, a blank card isbeing moved into the punching station. At the beginning of the followingcycle the card aligning mechanism engages the card to hold it in properregistration for the punching operation. After the card is punched, itis released for advancement to the sensing station where it serves as apattern card during the last half of the same cycle to set up thepunches for the punching of the following blank card on the next cycle.

The wiring diagram Referring now to Fig. 6 it is seen that the closureof switch S connects the machine to the source of electrical energythrough the two main lines 130 and 131.

For the gang punching operation, a master card is inserted at the bottomof a group of blank cards in the punch hopper R. The cards in the hopperactuate a card lever GL1 to close contacts CLla and energize a relaymagnet R through a circuit as follows: From line 130, through relay R10,card lever contacts CLla, to line 131. The start key ST is thendepressed and a circuit may be traced from line 130 through the pickupcoil of motor relay R12, start key contacts STC, relay contacts R10a(now closed), stop key contacts SPC (normzlly closed), to line 131. Theenergized motor relay closes contacts R12a to complete a circuit throughits vhold coil. The-b contacts of relay'R12 are also closed to completea circuit through the motor M which causes the motor to operate.Themotor will keep running and the cards will be fed from the hopper Ras long as they are present or until the stop key SP-is depressed.

During the second card feeding cycle, which takes place immediately,themaster card passes between the die plate 52 and punches 51 (Fig. 1) overto the sensing station at the same time that the first blank cardimmediately following the master card is moving from the hopper R to thepunching station. Next, the punch card lever CL2 is actuated andcontacts CLZa are closed completing a-circuit from line through theimpulse distributor contacts CB'which are closed during the sensing ofeach index point position, through contacts CL2a, common brush 132,common contact roll 26, sensing brush 25, the coil of punch magnet PM toline 131.

The movement of the cards is such that the blank card is brought to ahalt under the punches 51 by the card aligning mechanism after the lastindex point position is read by the brushes 25. All the holes 9 to 12inclusive .in any columns of the master card will be punched at one timein the related columns of the blank card. i

The newly punched card is fed in turn from the punching station to thesensing station as a second blank card is fed into the punching station.Thus, the newly punched card acts as a master card to control thepunching of the second blank card, and the second card controlsthepunching of the third, etc., until all of the blank cards are gangpunched.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that various omissions andsubstitutions and changes in the form and details of the deviceillustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is theintention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope ofthe following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a perforating machine, means for sensing successively the indexpoint positions of a record bearing data designations, a row of punchesrepresenting the index point positions of the record, a row of settablerelated interposers, an actuator for engaging each interposer, a firstselecting element representing the even index positions and cooperatingwith certain of said actuators, a second selecting element representingthe odd index positions and cooperating with other of the actuators,means for oscillating said elements and actuators with respect to therow of interposers, whereby said'actuators are ineffective to engagesaid interposers, means responsive to the sensing of perforations in therecord for interrupting the movement of the elements at differentialtimes to position the related actuators for engagement with theirrelated interposers, means for moving the positioned actuators atdifferential times to engage the related interposers, whereby a settingof the interposers is effected, and means for actuating the punchesthrough said set interposers.

2. The machine as claimed in claim 1, in which the movement of theselecting elements is interrupted alternately by the interrupting means.

3. The machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selecting elements areoscillated out of phase by the oscillating means.

4. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of interposersarranged in a column, a plurality of actuators arranged in a likecolumn, one actuator being opposite each interposer, means for drivingthe actuators in succession toward their related interposers, saidactuators being normally ineffective to drive the interposers, butpositionable to effect driving engagement, and

selectively settable means for causing such positioning of any actuatorprior to its driving action, whereby the related interposer will bedriven, said settable means including dual selecting devices, one devicecausing positioning of the first and alternate actuators and the otherdevice causing positioning of the second and alternate actuators. v

5. In a machine of the class described, means for sensing successivelythe index point positions of a record bearing data designations, a rowof settable related interposers, an actuator for engaging eachinterposer, a separate bail for pivotally mounting each of saidactuators, a first slide representing the even numbered index positionsand cooperating with certain of said actuators, a second sliderepresenting the odd numbered index positions and cooperating with otherof the actuators, means for oscillating said slides and actuators, withrespect to the row of interposers, whereby said actuators areineffective to engage said interposers, means responsive to the sensingof perforations in the record for interrupting the movement of theslides at difierential times to position the related actuators forengagement with their related interposers, a set of cam elements foroperating each bail at differential times to move the positionedactuators into engagement with selected interposers, whereby a settingof these interposers is effected.

6. In a machine of the class described, means for sensing successivelythe index point positions of a record bearing data designations, a rowof settable related interposers, an actuator for engaging eachinterposer, a first selecting element representing the even numberedindex positions and cooperating with certain of said actuators, a secondselecting element representing the odd numbered index positions andcooperating with other of the actuators, means for oscillating saidselecting. elements and actuators with respect to the row ofinterposers, whereby said actuators are ineffective to engage saidinterposers, a magnet for controlling the movement of the selectingelements, means for energizing said magnet in response to the sensing ofperforations in the record to interrupt the movement of the elements atdifferential times, said elements causing the related actuators to bepositioned for engagement with their related interposers, means formoving the positioned actuators at differential times to engage therelated interposers, whereby a setting of the interposers is effected.

7. In a perforating machine, means for sensing successively duodecimalindex point positions of a record, a row of punches representing theindex point positions of the record, a row of settable relatedinterposers, a shifta'ole plate having a series of slots therein, eachinterposer extending through one of said slots, an actuator for engagingeach interposer, a first selecting element representing the evennumbered index positions and cooperating With certain of said actuators,a second selecting element representing the odd numbered index positionsand cooperating with other of the actuators, means for oscillating saidelements and actuators with respect to the' row of interposers, wherebysaid actuators are ineffective to engage said interposers, meansresponsive to the sensing of perforations in the record for interruptingmovement of the elements at differential times to position the relatedactuators for engagement with their related interposers, means formoving the positioned actuators at differential times to engage therelated interposers, whereby a setting 'of the interposers is effected,means for actuating the punches through said set interposers, and meansfor moving said plate after actuation of the punches, whereby said setinterposers are restored.

8. In a machine of the class described, means for sensing successivelythe index point positions of a record bearing data designations, a rowof settable related interposers, an actuator for engaging eachinterposer, a first selecting element representing the even numberedindex positions and cooperating with certain of said actuators,

a second selecting element representing the odd numbered index positionsand cooperating with other of the actuators, means for oscillating saidselecting elements and actuators with respect to the row of interposers,whereby said actuators are ineffective to engage said interposers, amagnet for controlling the movement of the selecting elements, each ofsaid elements being alternately moved near the pole face of said magnetby said oscillating means, means for energizing said magnet in responseto the sensing of perforations in the record to interrupt the movementof the elements at differential times by holding the element againstsaid pole face, whereby the related actuators are positioned forengagement with their related interposers, means for moving thepositioned actuators at differential times to engage the relatedinterposers, whereby a setting of the interposers is effected.

9. In a machine for gang punching a group of record cards under controlof a master card, said cards having columns of index point positions, .aplurality of rows of punches representing the index point positions onthe cards, a plurality of rows of settable related interposers, anactuator for engaging each interposer, a first selecting element foreach row of interposers representing the even index positions andcooperating with certain of said actuators, a second selecting elementfor each row of interposers representing the odd index positions andcooperating with other of the actuators, means for oscillating saidelements and actuators with respect to the row of interposers, wherebysaid actuators are ineffective to engage said interposers, card sensingmeans, means for feeding the cards successively, first under the punchesand then past the sensing means, means responsive to the sensing ofperforations in the master card for interrupting the movement of theelements at differential times to position the related actuators forengagement with their related interposers, means for moving thepositioned actuators at differential times to engage the relatedinterposers, whereby a setting of the interposers is effected, and meansfor actuating the punches through said set interposers, whereby eachcard is perforated with the data sensed on the preceding card.

10. In a cyclically operable machine for gang punching a group of recordcards under control of a master card, said cards having columns ofduodecimal index point positions, a plurality of rows of punchesrepresenting the index point positions on the cards, a plurality of rowsof settable related interposers, an actuator for engaging eachinterposer, a first selecting element for each row of interposersrepresenting even numbered index positions and cooperating with certainof said actuators, a second selecting element for each row ofinterposers representing the odd numbered index positions andcooperating with other of said actuators, means for oscillating saidelements and actuators with respect to the row of interposers, wherebysaid actuators are ineffective to engage said interposers, means forsensing the index positions on the cards, means for feeding the cardssuccessively, first under the punches and then past the sensingmeans, amagnet for controlling the movement of the elements, means forenergizing said magnet in response to the sensing of perforations in therecord to interrupt the movement of the elements at differential times,said elements causing the related actuators to be positioned forengagement with their related interposers during a cycle of operation,means for moving the positioned actuators at differential times toengage the related interposers, whereby a setting of the interposers iseffected, and means for actuating the punches through said setinterposers on the following cycle of operation, whereby each card isperforated with data sensed on the preceding card.

11. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of interposersarranged in a column, a plurality of actuators arranged in a likecolumn, one actuator being opposite each interposer, means for drivingthe actuators in succession toward their related interposers, saidactuators being normally ineffective to drive the interposers butpositionable to effect driving engagement, a pair of oscilrupted atdifferential times by the magnet holding the lating slides for causingsuch positioning of an actuator slide against its pole face. prior toits driving action, one slide causing positioning of the first andalternate actuators and the other slide Ref Cit d in the file of thi atet causing positioning of the second and alternate actuators. 5

12. The machine as claimed in claim 11, in which a UNITED STATES PATENTSmagnet is provided to control the movement of the slides, 1,110,261Hollerith Sept. 8, 1914 means for alternately moving said slides nearthe pole 1,138,314 Powers May 4, 1915 face of said magnet, and means forselectively energizing 1,848,159 Carroll Mar. 8, 1932 said magnet sothat the movement of the slides is inter- 10 2,623,592 Knutsen Dec. 30,1952

